Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell begins his second term with an all-time high 61 - 30
percent approval rating, but only 22 percent of voters think he should run for President,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Gov. Rendell's previous high
approval rating was 55 - 30 percent June 22, 2006

Rendell gets a negative 36- 47 percent approval for his handling of the property tax
issue, the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN uh-pe-ack) University poll finds, but wins a
45 - 31 percent approval for his handling of health insurance.

Voters outside of Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Scranton say 46 - 39 percent they
would vote May 5 to raise local income taxes to support local schools and lower property
taxes in their school districts. Democrats support higher income taxes 48 - 39 percent,
while Republicans support the idea 47 - 38 percent and independent voters support local
income taxes 46 - 36 percent.

"In spite of record high approval ratings, property taxes threaten to become the
albatross around Gov. Ed Rendell's neck," said Clay F. Richards, assistant director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

"Voters in several areas support the proposal to swap higher incomes taxes for
lower property taxes. But because voting is by individual school district, if the May
referendum were held today, it would be defeated in some districts, especially in the
Philadelphia suburbs and possibly in southwest Pennsylvania."

"Much as they love their governor, Pennsylvania voters don't want Ed Rendell to
run for president; don't think he's qualified and wouldn't vote for him if he did run. End
of story? Probably not," Richards added.

Pennsylvania voters support 74 - 23 percent using revenue from slot machines to
fund property tax reductions, with strong support among all groups and regions.

But voters oppose 61 - 33 percent adding more casino sites to those already chosen
in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Pittsburgh and the Poconos. Opposition is consistent among
all groups and in all regions.

Smoking Ban

By a 60 - 37 percent margin, Pennsylvania voters support a ban on smoking in all
bars, restaurants and public buildings in the state. Men support the proposed ban 56 - 40
percent while women support it 64 - 35 percent. Support ranges from 59 - 38 percent
among Republicans to 65 - 33 percent among Democrats, and from a 49 - 51 percent split
in southwest Pennsylvania to 68 - 31 percent in Philadelphia.

Voters also support 71 - 26 percent raising the tax on cigarettes and using the
money to help pay for health insurance for Pennsylvania residents.

Voters agree with Rendell 76 - 16 percent that the health care system in the state is
broken. Among the 77 percent of voters who have read or heard about the Governor's
plan to provide health insurance for 700,000 uninsured Pennsylvanians, support is 67 - 19
percent. But voters say 73 - 9 percent that more needs to be done to fix health care.

It is the state's responsibility to make sure everyone has health insurance, voters
say 57 - 39 percent.

Voters also feel 73 - 20 percent that Rendell's plan to charge uninsured people $10
to $280 per month for insurance, depending on income, is fair.

From February 1 - February 5, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,014 Pennsylvania
voters with a margin of error of +/- 3.1 percentage points.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida,
Ohio and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data - www.quinnipiac.edu and click on Institutes and Centers, or call (203) 582-5201.

30. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling his job as
Governor?

43. If Ed Rendell were to run for President in 2008, how likely is it that you
would vote for him? Do you think you would definitely vote for him, probably vote
for him, probably not vote for him, or definitely not vote for him?

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way Ed Rendell is handling property
taxes?

Feb 7 Jun 22 Jul 13 Apr 22 Feb 20
2007 2006 2004 2004 2003

Approve 36 39 41 29 33
Disapprove 47 41 43 50 33
DK/NA 17 20 16 21 34

46. How much have you heard or read about a statewide vote on May 5 asking voters
in each school district to approve an increase of one percent or more in local
income taxes with the funds going to cut property taxes in that school district?
A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?

47. How likely is it that you will vote on this tax issue in the special election
scheduled for May 5 - would you say you will definitely vote, probably vote,
possibly not vote, or definitely not vote?

50. The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has chosen two sites on the Delaware
River waterfront in Philadelphia, and one site each in Pittsburgh, Bethlehem and
in the Poconos for stand alone casinos. State revenues from the casinos will be
used to finance property tax reduction in Pennsylvania. Do you favor or oppose
locating casinos on these sites?

53. Rendell has proposed a program called Prescription for Pennsylvania. It is
intended to provide health insurance for more than seven hundred thousand
Pennsylvania residents who do not have health insurance, and to improve the
cost and quality of health care in general. How much have you heard or read about
this program? A lot, some, only a little or nothing at all?

57. Under Governor Rendell's plan uninsured people could pay anywhere from $10 a
month to $280 a month for healthcare coverage. The cost would be determined by
their income. Do you think this is fair or unfair?